Drop Tower = 1 minutes; 28 seconds
Strapped into an open car and lifted 160 feet into the air at a speed of 16 feet per second, we felt the tension build as we were held for a few seconds, and then dropped on a 100-foot, 56 mph freefall. Just 60 feet above the ground, the ride’s magnetic braking system saved us from gravity and gently brought us back to reality.

Intimidator = 3 minutes; 33 secondsThe Intimidator is the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in the Southeast! It dominates the skyline at 232-feet tall and sends you plummeting down a 211-foot first drop, then races through more than a mile of high speed twists and turns, including seven extreme drops in excess of 75 MPH! The initial climb is enough to make anyone’s hair stand up and when you come over the top of the curve in the back of the roller coaster, you’re at top speed and guaranteed to let out a yelp. The most nerve-racking part of the ride: you’re only strapped in around the waist. As we flew over the top of each peak, I was lifted completely off of the seat and suspended in mid air before dropping into another loop of extreme fun.

Vortex = 2 minutes; 19 secondsThis stand-up rollercoaster took us on a 50-m.p.h. series of fun-filled loops and dramatic drops. With an upward helix, followed by a right corkscrew, another upward helix, and a wide turnaround, our heads were nodding with approval after the Vortex.

Carolina Cobra = 2 minutes; 0 secondsCarolina Cobra features three inversions, including a cobra roll and loop; Back and forth for a total of six inversions. Starting out backwards, we were pulled to the top of the ride and let go! The initial, forward motion was exciting, but the backwards return really got my blood pumping.Amusement parks are typically known as great places for children, but even the extreme adventure seeker, like myself, can find excitement around every corner at Carowinds! I just might need a season pass for next year.

Carrowinds is one of the amusement parks my Dearly Beloved and I plan to visit in coming years. We were thrown a bit behind schedule in getting to new parks by our marrying, although the honeymoon gave us the chance to take in De Efteling in the Netherlands and Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

I used to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain at least once a year… but it has probably been 8 years since I made it over to the park at this point. Your photos and commentary made me long for those thrills again. I just might have to make some time for that in the near future. As always, thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

That sounds like an amazing day out 🙂 Hairy and I are off to Scarefest at Alton Towers at the weekend for a day of thrills and he hates heights! Let’s see how many terrified yelps I can get out of him… 😀

Those look awesome! I like rollercoasters and speedy rides, but I really hate those that just spin you around and around in a circle… like those octopus rides. They just make you smack your head to one side and give you a headache, without any real thrill or sensation of speed.

I miss the excitement of the rides. I used to love them and the more extreme the better but with congestive heart failure they really don’t reccomend you do anything that might make your blood pressure drop suddenly.

Glad you had fun! However nobody will ever get me to go on a roller coaster ever. I was traumatized at the age of 4 by the “kiddie coaster” at the local amusement park in my town (appropriately named Playland). I tried to give them another go when I went to Six Flags in NJ in middle school and went on another kiddie themed roller coaster to see if I could stomach the big scary ones.

I was terrified the entire time and knew for certain I could never get past the 4 year old terror haha.

To each his/her own, right? I’m sure there are some things that you really enjoy or don’t fear at all that would make me shiver with fear. I hate spiders and no matter how rational I try to be about it, I can’t get over it.

There are some things that we just can’t conquer just yet. I have a paralyzing fear of sharks. I did swim with whale sharks at an aquarium but cage diving scares the life out of me. Everyone has their limits 🙂

i have never heard of this amusement park. but that doesn’t surprise me… i just did my first zipline ride monday and had a great time! so maybe more coasters are in my future – they’re so hard on the neck though… – looks like the weather cooperated. 🙂

I rode the Intimidator for the first time this past weekend at Carowinds (or Scarowinds during Halloween season)! It was awesome! Is going down that first hill similar to what it feels like to jump out of an airplane?

I love theme parks and particularly roller coasters and it’s the one BIG thing I really miss from my new life in Cyprus. Since leaving the UK to live here permanently in 2004 I haven’t been on even a funfair ride…..

It’s a very sad state of affairs and I’m getting the urge to travel and find one soon!!!

When I lived in Charlotte I would purchase season passes for myself and my son. We would spend countless afternoons there enjoying the coasters and cooling off in the water park. My son’s first coaster ever was Carowinds’ The Hurler. Good times!

I love amusement parks! Rollercoasters are the best! No matter how old I get, I will probably always enjoy them. I enjoyed your pictures and your descriptions! It makes me want to try the ride out for myself 🙂